Top 5: Summer ‘done deals’ that haven’t happened

There is still a week left until the transfer window snaps shut, and there are still some big names being thrown around. Whether or not the rumours come to anything, we will have to wait and see, but these five transfers which were labelled as ‘done deals’ at some point this summer, did not.

5. Koke to Barcelona
When Cesc Fabregas joined Chelsea in a £30 million deal at the start of the transfer window, it was widely believed that he was being replaced with a younger model, in the form of Atletico Madrid’s Koke, who impressed during Atletico’s title victory and Champions League run.

There were other clubs interested in the 22-year-old, but it was decided (supposedly) that he would be joining Barcelona – until he turned down the Catalan giants and negotiated a bumper deal with his current club, bring an end what was being touted as a definite transfer. The papers refuse to accept that Koke is staying in Madrid and continue to link him with Barcelona, but if they want him now they will surely have to pay his £48 million release clause.

4. Marco Reus to any Premier League that could afford him
It’s been tough keeping track of where exactly it is that Reus is going. Liverpool, Manchester United, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and now even Barcelona – he’s been a busy lad this summer.

It was almost certain that he was moving to Anfield a few months back, then to Old Trafford. Atletico Madrid came along and apparently had a £25 million bid accepted, despite Borussia Dortmund already declaring that he won’t be leaving the club this summer. Atletico’s interest dwindled and the Reus to Liverpool or Manchester United rumours have started all over again.

3. Eden Hazard to Paris Saint-GermainThis one ended before the transfer window even began. It started when Jose Mourinho criticised his star winger for ignoring his defensive duties during Chelsea’s Champions League semi-final defeat to Atletico Madrid. Within 24 hours the player was joining PSG in a £60 million deal. It seems PSG brought the wrong player though, with David Luiz making a £50 million switch to the French champions, while Hazard stayed right where he was.

The rumours failed to die down though, with Hazard and his team-mate, Oscar, still being linked with a switch to France, despite persistent dismissals from Mourinho and Hazard themselves.

2. Edinson Cavani to Manchester United, Chelsea or Manchester City
This was another one which started before the window even opened, it might have even started way back in January. Either way, Cavani was unhappy that he was being played out wide to accommodate Zlatan Ibrahimovic and wanted out after just half a season in France.

This one was never going to happen. Financial Fair Play has brought an end to ridiculous transfer fees, unless you’re PSG, Real Madrid or Barcelona, of course. Cavani made his bed and now he has to sleep in it. Forever.

1. Paul Pogba to ChelseaThis was a done deal the moment Pogba was spotted playing Football Manager as Chelsea, having transferred himself into the team. Despite FFP and having already splashing £60 million on Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, they were then going to pay £60 million for Pogba, because he was snapped playing Football Manager.

Of course, earlier in the summer, the French star was also linked with a £60 million return to his former club, Manchester United, who allowed him to leave on a free transfer just a few years ago. Juventus, Pogba and just about everybody else denied the rumour, but, of course, they still continue to circulate.

There are plenty of other ‘done deals’ that never got done. Heck, if done deal meant done deal, Louis van Gaal wouldn’t be Manchester United’s new boss, because he already took over at Tottenham back in March.